Optimism Grows Over Availability of Credit

Overall, 61% of borrowers and 74% of lenders who responded to the NREI survey expect credit to become more available over the next 12 months. That fits the emerging storyline that the economy is on the mend and that property values for commercial real estate have begun to stabilize or even rise in some cases, forcing lenders out of hibernation. Still, 30% of borrowers and 19% of lenders say that the availability of capital will stay the same or worsen in 2011. That sentiment could reflect the fact that lending conditions in secondary and tertiary markets are less favorable and more stagnant than primary markets.